The 4-H Club

May…the God of peace sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. –1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV

If you’ve ever been to a country fair, you are familiar with the 4-H Club –a rural youth organization. Each letter H stands for a unique focus: the head, the heart, the hands, and health.  As Christians, we are members of a different 4-H club with similar goals.

Head: The head houses the brain which absorbs and processes our knowledge, thoughts, and beliefs. We are to fill our heads with Biblical truths through studying God’s Word, fellowshipping with other believers, and worshiping at church.

Heart: The heart represents our feelings of love and compassion for God and those around us.

Hands: The hands represent service, turning our heartfelt love and thoughts into actions.

Health: Good health in body, soul, and mind is essential. A broken vessel is of no use. It is vital to not only care for our mental and spiritual health, but our physical bodies as well.
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As we focus on these goals, we will experience peace, joy, and rest for our souls, growing closer to all the Lord intends for us to be. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NIV).

Solar Power

The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. –Isaiah 60:19 NIV

Sunlight provides an impressive array of health advantages. In many studies, exposure to the sun has been shown to reduce stress, assist in weight loss, strengthen the immune system, fight off depression, and lead to a longer life. The sun is an amazing gift from our Lord.

But the Lord offers us an even greater gift—Jesus, His only Son, “the light of the world” (John 9:5 NIV) whose positive impact on our lives is infinitely more profound. When we come to Him, He carries our burdens and lightens our load, easing our stress. The weight of the world is no longer on our shoulders; it is on His. As we lean into Him, He strengthens our spiritual immune system, helping us fight off the temptation to sin. With our Lord Jesus, we find joy to combat depression, and our lives are extended to eternity.

Are we enjoying all of the benefits that the solar power of Jesus offers? We need to allow the Son’s light to fully shine through us today. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you”  (Isaiah 60:1 NIV)!

Potholes
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…the road is hard that leads to life that lasts forever. –Matthew 7:14 NLV
 
What might cause a road to be difficult to travel? The first thing that comes to mind is the presence of potholes. Running over these cavities can cause considerable damage to a car: puncturing tires, bending rims, knocking the steering out of alignment, and even damaging the engine. 
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On the path of life, we will undoubtedly encounter many potholes that can lead to considerable damage in our faith journey. Disappointment, rejection, temptation, pride, and jealousy are just a few of the pits we may fall into.

How should we, as Christians, navigate this hole-filled road we travel? We ought to follow the advice given to drivers. First, constantly scan the road. Carefully meditate each day, anticipating what lies ahead. Second, avoid swerving (which may cause worse harm to you or others). Rather, gently brake and enter the hole head-on. Some situations cannot be avoided; and it is best to just allow the Lord’s brake fluid to help us decelerate as we gently roll through the situation. Third, avoid speeding. We need to slow down, so that when we see situations approaching, we can be prepared with prayer, scripture, and the guidance of believers to avoid calamity.

Rise and Shine

…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 41:31 NIV
 
Rise and shine! It is the dawn of a new day! The sun is shining in all its radiance, though you may not see it through the billowing clouds. The soil must be tilled and seeds planted, before the harvest can be reaped. Face this day with anticipation. Be encouraged with the Lord’s words. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

Look with anticipation as you fulfill your mission today, knowing you are not alone. Our mighty Lord, the God of the universe, is not only with you, but in you. Echo the words of the apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

So, what might the Lord have in store for you today? How might you join Him in his work? Look beyond the clouds with anticipation for what you may encounter. It is time to unwrap the precious gift that is today, and to get moving. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24 ESV).

No Appointment Necessary

Then you will call on Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. --Jeremiah 29:12 AMP

When I wished to speak with one of my daughter’s teachers, I had to schedule an appointment.  In fact, my dentist, doctor, financial planner, and auto mechanic all require a prior call to secure a meeting.  Why is it that the God of the universe has no such restriction? I need not wait for an open time slot.  He is always available, always accessible, and a sign outside His window would read, “No appointment necessary.”

Just as a mother can recognize her baby’s cry, so can our heavenly Father, the creator of the universe, hear the cries of those who call on Him. Since time began, there never has been an appointment needed.  David, in the Book of Psalms, explained, "In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears." (Psalm 18:6).

Centuries later, once Jesus, our Lord and Savior, sacrificed His life for us, our communication with the Lord had the opportunity for a subtle but profound transformation. The Lord’s temple could then be within each of us. Once I had called upon the Lord, confessed my sins, acknowledged Him as my Lord and Savior, and invited Him into my heart, He sent me His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of the living God now dwells within me, as Jesus explained. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you" (John 14:16-17 NRSV).
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I need not cry out for the Lord to come to me.  He is here, living in my heart. All I need do is speak the words silently, in a gentle whisper, or at times with tears. He is always with me, ready to listen, comfort, and guide me through life with no appointment necessary. Praise the Lord for His great love!
 

Praise God for the Wonders of Nature

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?  In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. -- Job 12:7-10 NIV

God is glorified through all of His creation.  As we meander through roughhewn paths of a dense forest, scale the slopes of a majestic mountain, or take a walk along the sandy shores of an ocean beach, we enjoy the Lord’s magnificent gifts. He is the creator of all shapes and colors, textures and movement, scents, sights, and sounds.  Each facet is a gift to be cherished and enjoyed:  the azure sky, the turquoise sea, each unique creature that flies in the air or lives in the watery depths. Every sweet scented flower and shade-giving tree, the warmth of a bright sunlit sky, the comfort of a cooling breeze, and the sound of waves, wind, or gentle crunch of dried autumn leaves under foot—all have been bestowed upon us.  Every flavor and every aroma adds to the variety that we acknowledge as the spice of life. It is incumbent upon us to use the senses the Lord has given us to unwrap each gift throughout the day, acknowledging and thanking the Giver for each treasure that He has bestowed upon us.

Holy Housekeeping 7:  Watch for Mold

Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him. -- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV
 
Just as we guard our residence from mold, we need to prevent this substance from invading our spiritual homes. Sin is the mold in the lives of Christians. Three aspects of this toxic substance share common threads with sin. 

First, sin, just like mold, needs a source of moisture. Temptation is the moisture that allows this harmful matter to grow. But, just as it is not possible, or practical, to remove all moisture from a home, neither is it possible to remove all temptation. We need to co-exist with both. It is excessive moisture in the presence of darkness where mold will flourish.

Second, mold thrives in dark places, where there is no light. But, thankfully, Jesus gives us blessed assurance, as He proclaimed, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV).

Finally, mold, unlike dirt, will inevitably grow. We need to examine our lives for areas where we are straying from God’s Word. The tell-tale sign that an area of sin has taken root is that it gradually increases in duration and/or intensity. 

Once we discover areas where spiritual mold is growing, we need to allow the light of the Lord to shine brightly. As we confess, repent, and turn from our sins, Jesus promises "to forgive us" and "cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Holy Housekeeping 6 - Trim the Bushes

Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 5:15-16 ESV
 
Just as overgrown shrubberies may obscure the location of a house from visitors, each of us may have erected hedges to prevent others from seeing what is within us. Keeping our faith private can be tempting, since it may be disconcerting to reveal personal beliefs that are at variance with others.  We may feel vulnerable, exposed, and open to ridicule as people view us as being “different”. Or, we might simply be worried that others will be uncomfortable, being confronted with views that differ from their own. 
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But, Jesus urges us to not hide our light under a bushel. "…Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16 NIV). We might wonder if letting others see our good deeds seems boastful. Yet, our underlying motivation is key to the distinction. As others see the Lord working through us, they will give glory to Him. St. Francis of Assisi explained our mission well with these words, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary, use words.”  Our actions do speak louder than words. We ought to be ready to share the gospel to anyone who asks, with actions and words.  

Holy Housekeeping 5  - Proper Maintenance

Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him. -- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV

Are you keeping your mind and body as healthy as possible? Every part of your body is a precious gift from the Lord, from the brain in your head to the toes on your feet. Our Lord has entrusted this amazing dwelling place to you, having appointed you building superintendent. How would He rate your job performance? Is the structure clean and free of debris? Is it in good repair? Are you performing all of the required maintenance?  Would OSHA inspectors find safety hazards? 

The Lord has blessed each of us with access to much information which, if followed, could keep us active, strong, and healthy. The amount and types of foods and nutrients we consume, the exercise we follow, and the hours of sleep we get are all important in preventing inflammation, disease, and early death.  Are we being responsible caretakers?
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Some will attempt to justify a lack of effort, citing very health-conscious people who still developed cancer or died of a heart attack. They argue that there is no point in trying.  But, the same rationale can be applied to a house. The dwelling may be extremely well-maintained, but still completely destroyed by a flood, earthquake, or tornado. Does such an outcome justify neglecting maintenance of the structure?  Certainly not. Just so, each of us ought to do our utmost to preserve the body that is home to not only ourselves, but to the Lord Himself.