The Encourager
“On the Road - Jeff Curtis”
“On the Road”
By Jeff Curtis
Willie Nelson, a country music singer, has performed one of his song’s multiple times, called “On the Road Again.” Just as the Israelites were “on the road” – constantly traveling for almost forty years (Numbers 33:1-49), so Christians are “on the road,” traveling through this world. We should be looking forward to settling finally in our real home, heaven.
The Christian’s life has often been compared to a journey. For example, Pilgrim’s Progress, a famous 17th century novel by John Bunyan, pictures the life of a Christian as that of a pilgrim on his way to the “Celestial City.”
In the New Testament, the church is compared to Israel in the wilderness. The inspired writers used Israel’s experience to warn Christians against apostasy (1Corinthians 10:1-2; Hebrews 3&4). Also, Jesus said that His followers are to be “in the world” but not “of the world” (John 17:11,16). Paul mentioned, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), not on the earth; and Peter wrote that Christians are “aliens and strangers” in this world (1Peter 2:11). Christians should believe, as the song says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing thru” – and we should act accordingly.
How would we who are Christians live if we embraced the truth that we are “on the road” as long as we are on the earth? (1) We would accept the idea that our primary task is to do the will of our heavenly King, acting as ambassadors on His behalf (2Corinthians 5:20). (2) We would realize that our standards are not set by any worldly authority or by the views of those around us, but by God Himself. (3) We would value the spiritual realities of Christ above the goods of this world. We would not busy ourselves accumulating “treasures on earth,” but focusing on laying up “treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20).
Your Spiritual Summer Bucket List
by Joshua Welch
Most have heard of a “bucket list.” Often, a bucket list consists of things people want to do before they “kick the bucket” and die. Maybe they want to visit a dream destination, jump out of an airplane, or scuba dive with the sharks. Yet, for our sakes today, we want to think about our summer bucket list. Some have a bucket list of things they would like to do over summer break - get a tan, visit a theme park, or catch up with friends. However, have you thought of any spiritual summer goals? Consider keeping this checklist handy...
1) Work so you can give. Paul writes of how we should “labor, working with hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need” (Ephesians 4:28). Teens, don't just sit at home and do nothing all summer. Work. Support yourself by working but also work to put money aside to help fund a spiritual work or effort of an individual or of the church. Additionally, kids need to pitch in around the house and help their parents who are working (Ecclesiastes 9:10; 2 Thessalonians 3:10).
2) Read the Scriptures. Some seasons are busier than others and it cuts into our reading time. But when we have a slower season be intentional about reading the Scriptures so you might be edified and enlightened by the Word. What’s on your spiritual reading list to tackle this summer? How about Luke’s gospel and the book of Acts? If you’ll read just one chapter a day you should be able to cover it in a couple months (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
3) Plan a spiritual edification trip. Maybe it’s a VBS, a gospel meeting, or youth series, or a song leader workshop. However, make plans with someone to visit a group or church that is hosting a speaker or series and be edified while encouraging others (Acts 15:35-36; Romans 1:9-10). While you’re at it invite your friends to our summer series too!
4) Share a meal. If you have more time to cook and entertain, consider putting extra effort into hospitality this summer. It can be as simple as an ice cream cone after Sunday night services or a cookout on the back porch. But hospitality is an encouraging tool to grow relationships and build bonds of togetherness with one another (Acts 2:46; 16:15; 1 Peter 4:9).
5) Visit someone lonely. James calls us to “visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27). The book of Hebrews says we should “strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees…” (12:12). While we encourage those who are discouraged by our visits, we often leave feeling uplifted too! Who can you make time to visit this summer?
Keep this list handy as a spiritual motivator this summer! Let’s grow.
