The Building One Another Podcast

Columnist Jess McKinley writes that America is atomizing, that we are not scattering into two different tribes but rather into countless little groups and further into simple aloneness. It's common today for a single person to spend most of their free time with one or two other singes, a married couple with just one or two others. Our circles are smaller than they've been in a long time? The places we used to congregate for conversations are diminishing. Why? Many reasons of course – social media makes us "alone with others," the moves toward less socialization the pandemic inspired, the many voices today pressing for more division among us, wanting, as one pastor put it, to be right more than they want to be reconciled. So, what do we do? As followers of Jesus we observe Jesus constantly pulled people in and sent people outto engage and connect more people. Yes, being alone has its place, and Jesus often withdrew for prayer and renewal, but engagement, connecting people showers God's love on them.

Jesus heals a man lying by the Pool of Bethesda who turns out to be a whiney, spineless person. Upon receiving an outright miracle, he shows no gratitude. In return for his mercy, Jesus gets nothing but trouble. Why did Jesus heal this one? Bethesda is a beautiful name in the Bible that combines two words, the first being beth meaning house, such as in Beth-lehem – house of bread. The second is hesed, so Bethesda means House of Hesed or house of mercy, Hesed means, "I will never withdraw my love from you. As the Paul was to say, "If we are faithless, he remains is faithful, because he cannot deny himself." 2 Tim. 2:13 So, why did Jesus heal a whiney, spineless, ingrate lying by the Pool of Bethesda? The answer is gigantic. Jesus wants us to know that no matter what our inner weakness has been, no matter how we have messed up or have even turned our backs on him, Jesus, himself, is the House of Hesed, always holding onto you so that you may turn to hold onto him.

Robert H. Schuller made the fascinating observation that anybody can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed! In other words, you have no idea how God will use you to influence the lives of others. Yet, you DO know our loving Lord will do far beyond what you ask or think! Who was it that first spoke to Billy Graham about Jesus Christ? Who first connected Martin Luther King, Jr, Mother Theresa, Richard Foster, Pope Francis with Jesus? Those people may be unknown to you, yet they influenced the whole world by influencing one person! When you encourage people to trust the Lord who loves them, you have no idea how many people will be touched as the circle grows!

An epiphany is a new and sudden insight! In today's podcast, we discuss a remarkable story told by a person whose dramatic epiphany about Jesus was amazing and life-changing. In this New Year, ask our Lord to give you fresh epiphanies his presence, love and power in your life! To put it simply, let Jesus in!

Have you ever heard of the Grace Cycle? This is wonderfully captured by the Apostle Paul when he wrote: "You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us." II Corinthians 9:11 There are three stages to this grace cycle. Stage One: Grace to us – "You will be enriched in every way." Stage Two – Grace through us – "for your great generosity." Stage Three – Grace returned. "the gifts produce thanksgiving to God." Grace to us. Grace through us. Grace returned. Round and round, the Grace Cycle never stops. The Lord who loves you never stops pouring grace into your life and as you pour that grace to touch others, they are blessed and you are blessed!

Modeling is one of the most potent means of building others. Modeling sets the example. Provides a pattern. Shows the way. Gives others a picture of what they can become. Whom do we model? Jesus! Paul said, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" and " What you have learnedand received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I Corinthians 11:1 and Philippians 4:9 Modeling is not an option. You model your lifestyle in front of the others in your life every single day. The question is "What or whom are you modeling?"

Paul marvelously describes his friend Epaphroditus as, "my brother, my fellow worker, my fellow soldier! What a marvelous combination! Just think of the people in your life you would call friends and fellow workers and fellow soldier! We call those people "journey partners" in your life. Journey partners share friendship in life, love, laughter and lament. Journey Partners share endeavor and adversity, perhaps in the past, present or future. Let your journey partners know how much you appreciate them! Be a journey partner with Jesus! In turn be a journey partner with the people God our Lord into your life!

Is a major aim of your life to help people find joy in Jesus? There are many ups and downs in the lives we lead, yet always we know the immediate presence of the Lord who loves us and his promise of joy! "These things I (Jesus) have spoken to you, that my joy may be in your and that your joy may be made full." John 15:11 "Jesus… who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross." Hebrews 12:2 You may encourage the people in your life with words such as: I am with you! I will help you! Take heart! Well Done! Yet, the One who also says these things and will be with the people in your life, whether you are there or not, is Jesus. So, above all, remind people of the joy in Jesus, even as you offer them good cheer, your presence and your help "The joy of the Lord is your strength!" Nehemiah 8:10